Wow, Didn't Expect That

So after I wrote my last post, I totally didn't expect the response I got.  Most of it came as the result of Lissy posting a link to this blog on Facebook.  Through all of the comments and messages I received, the feeling was pretty mutual.  So many wonderful moms out there with great perspective.  So in response to all of this I thought I would just add in my comment I left on Facebook, "Wow, so I totally didn't expect Lissy to post this with a link to my humble blog (I'm not mad at you Lissy). I wasn't trying to garner any sympathy or affirmation, but thanks for all the sweet comments. I guess sometimes compliments can become burdens to me because I don't feel like I am the person people think I am. So now I don't feel like I am hiding anything, everyone knows my faults. Or at least some of them. It was actually quite freeing. And while some people are reading all of this and my blog and quietly saying, "Man, she really isn't that great of a mom" I do know that I love Andrew and my kids so much along with my family and my friends and I want to do my best for them. I mean look at my mom, she sets a pretty high standard :-) Such wise words! I think it is just in my nature to be kind of hard on myself and I want to be able to do everything. I guess that is kind of hard with 5 kids :-) But 5 kids is not a good excuse for not trying to do my best because they each deserve it!

This is a little of what we have been up to the past week (in pictures)...

We started up small group again on Wednesday and Molly and Heather really helped us out and babysat for us.  They even stayed later after small group so Andrew and I could drop my car off to have it worked on the next day.  But earlier in the day we headed to Columbia to get out of town and bit and do a little shopping.  I found a few great deals.  It actually has been a good week for deals.  I bought quite a few pair of $2 swim trunks at Wal-Mart.  My three youngest boys should be good to go for the next couple of years.  They even had a cute, little yellow ruffle bikini that I got for Lola (you know, "yellow feathers in her hair") for $2 and also found one in Carolina's size.  Then I found some sundresses for $1 for Bella, Carolina, and Lola.  There wasn't much for the older kids though.  Although I did found some great deals online for them for stuff for next year.  But my greatest find, along with a $3 cute long sleeve shirt for me, was this dress from Old Navy for Ellie for $0.47! Yes, forty-seven cents.  Comes in a close second to my one cent cardigan from Old Navy.

Jackson and Ellie had their stuff animals greet me one morning. Ellie revamped hers a bit and had me take a picture of it later. And take note of all the mustaches on Jackson's toys :-)

Bennett was so excited to make it on top of the ottoman. He just kept bouncing and smiling.

He and his brother were also excited that they learned to tip over the trashcan in the laundry room.  I, on the other hand, was not excited especially since they had lint everywhere including all over them.  I would guess that lint doesn't taste that great, but they seemed to like it.  This picture doesn't do it justice.

They do look pretty cute in the towels one of Andrew's client made for them though.

Sara and I, on the other hand, do not look cute in this lovely picture I recently found. Kind of embarrassing, but I just had to include it.

And there are always several wrestling matches during the week. They can all get in on the action now.

On Monday, Lincoln got to go to his first dentist appointment.  He wasn't too excited even though Jackson and Ellie talked it up to him and talked to him about the treasure chest that he could pick a toy from.  He wanted to sit on my lap at first, but then he sat in the chair by himself.  He hardly said a word to anyone except to express his dislike for certain instruments they were using including the water and suction.  But there was no screaming and he was able to have his teeth cleaned and looked at and everything looks great.  Sounds good to me.  He didn't want me to take a picture though.

And lastly I wanted to share something else fun from last week-Jackson was featured on Kanakuk's blog. It all started when I emailed them to see if they could send me a higher resolution file of a "ticket to kamp" they had on their Facebook page. I was able to work with it in my Silhouette program and add Jackson's name, etc.  Then they asked me to send them pictures of Jackson opening his gift and to answer a few questions they had about him and us and our experience with Kamp. Jackson was so excited when I showed it to him. He said, "I'm famous. I'm on a website!" They actually got the part about my time at kamp kind of wrong. I actually was an Osage at K-1 in 1995 and a counselor at K-7 in 1996. I am just going to copy and paste the whole post onto here so that I can make sure I have it printed off in our yearly blog book.

With Christmas ornaments packed away and school back in session, families across the nation are anticipating an exciting new year and all God has in store for 2013. At Kanakuk, a new year means one thing for us: another amazing Kamp season is on its way! Lucky for many kids, the Gift of Kamp was a popular present this Christmas! We’re thrilled to hear stories and see photos on Twitter and Facebook of future Kampers receiving their Ticket to Kamp.
Something special is that one Kamper, Jackson, received his Ticket to Kamp after looking forward to attending for years! We checked in with his mom, Allison, a former Kanakuk counselor, who joyfully got to pass on the Gift of Kamp. Allison and her husband surprised eight-year-old Jackson on Christmas morning as visions of tubing, coffee cake and Kamp Parties danced in his head!

Ever since his Aunt Molly showed him videos from Kamp two years prior, Jackson had been begging to attend for the summer. After opening his Christmas gift and realizing his wish would come true to attend Kanakuk, Jackson had the chance to view the Kamp DVD. His mom said this only furthered his excitement for activities like swimming in the big pool, zip-lining, playing football and of course, jumping on the blob!

However, Allison and Molly are not Jackson’s only connection to Kamp! The legacy within their family is long and now will be continued through Jackson. Jackson’s mom, Allison Farwell, formerly Allison Early, started attending Kanakuk Kamps in 1991, the summer before her freshman year in high school. She and her seven siblings attended Kamp throughout their childhood. They even got their dad hooked on Kanakuk while he served as a doctor at Kamp for several years.
In 1996, Allison was able to give back by working as an Osage at K-Seven. Her parents later served as one of the founding families of the Kirksville K-Life, where she and her husband also are a part of the ministry. We are so grateful for wonderful families like the Earlys and Farwells and the value they see in Kanakuk and Christ-centered friendships.
“Even at the young age of eight, we are already seeing the effects his peers and surroundings can have on him,” said Allison. “It would be great for him to attend Kamp right before he heads back to school with hopes that he will return on fire for God and wants to spread that fire to others in his school.”
We were also excited to hear that Jackson will have a friend to “RiseUp” with him after attending Kamp this summer! One of Allison’s childhood friends, and one who she attended Kanakuk with for the first time, lives across the street from the Farwell family. For Christmas, the family also gave their daughter, Addison, the Gift of Kamp! This summer, Jackson and Addison will have the chance to experience Kanakuk for the first time together, just like their mothers did in 1991!

However, for the Farwell family and many others, a Ticket to Kamp is more than just a Christmas present. As the oldest of five kids, Allison hopes Jackson can set a great example for his younger siblings. She mentioned that his six-year-old sister, Ellie, is already asking if she can attend Kanakuk, as well! Who knows – maybe Ellie will get the Gift of Kamp this upcoming Christmas, too. Overall, we know there are amazing things in store for this summer at Kamp and are excited to have Jackson, Addison, and countless other Kampers joining us for immeasurable fun, endless memories and lives changed!
We think Allison said it best when she stated:
“Even though Jackson attends K-Life and our church youth program, there is just something about Kamp and the atmosphere Kanakuk creates that can ignite that fire for God.”
As more and more Kampers sign up for a summer at Kanakuk each day, we look forward to seeing the fires God starts in each Kamper’s heart and the way they impact their communities!
We’re sure He is already fanning the flames for Jackson and the Farwell family after an exciting Christmas!
How would you like to receive the Gift of Kamp for Christmas, your birthday or any day?! Share with us on Facebook or Twitter .

And that is about it for this week.  I am going to be doing another post shortly.  One I have been meaning to do since this summer, but haven't had the courage to do it.  It will probably make some people mad and some people uncomfortable, but I do hope it stirs others.